UPDATE: I basically re-created the map digitally, marked down some cities and terrain, and colored everything properly, soooo enjoy! thank you!

Hello there, MA readers! I realize that my geography and name-dropping gets a little crazy now and then, so I figured that I would give you the ultimate guide to names and locations around Oreka. Please feel free to have this open while you're reading or whatever so you can see what I'm talking about. Also, interesting background tidbits here, kind of the making-of bonus features, if you will. Here we go!

NOTE: This guide will be periodically updated as I forget information here and there or think of some important things later in the story. I might also make the flags and throw those up here, just for fun, if you want me to. 

Oh, and for anyone who doesn't know what this is, I'm writing a Big Four Elements fanfiction called Mages Ascendant, which is over yonder: fav.me/d74kkrx

OREKA

The ENTIRE continent, including all countries here and to the north and east, is called Oreka (OH-reh-kuh, meaning "balance" in Basque). It isn't referred to much simply out of ignorance, contempt, or lack of time to try and explain yourself. People in their own countries are very nationalistic and patriotic, preferring to call themselves by their country's nationality rather than the continent's.

In short, people are not Orekians, so I will not refer to them as such any time in the fanfiction. They are one of four nationalities: Kosmarian, Traum, Islander or Kylmaian. Anyone living outside of these four areas are considered foreigners. 

TRAUM

Traum (TRAHM, "dream" in German) is that colorful country to the east, outlined there in black. People who live there are considered to be Eastern or simply Traum. They tend to have fuller faces and lighter-colored hair, with the dominant eye colors being blue, green and yellow. The accents tend to be rough, with either Scottish or Russian accents. Building styles are generally more European in appearance, as is the food and the line of work that people pursue. There are five provinces (akin to large states or mini-countries) within Traum: Lys, Kunnia, Cesaret, Rabanta, and Damai. Each province is run by a local baron that obeys the monarchy to which he/she is loyal to.

LYS

Lys (LISS, "light" in Norwegian) is considered to be the capital province of Traum, since the actual capital city of Traum itself is Corona (Latin for "crown"), where lives the King and Queen of Traum. They are the ultimate authority in the entire country, overruling the verdict of the governments ruling the other provinces. Lys is the third-smallest province in Traum. Citizens are called Lysians and notable cities include aforementioned Corona, Balta, Tandstift, Krondale, Dayax, and Nyalaton. Rapunzel's home province, although she doesn't know it. It is run by Baron Bryce Shepherd, under the King and Queen's jurisdiction. The Lysian flag is a golden sun on a royal purple field (ie Tangled flag). It is also considered the national flag, as it is the province in which resides the capital of Traum: fav.me/d7lywx6

KUNNIA

Kunnia (KOO-nee-ah, "honor/glory" in Finnish) is basically Viking country. The term "Viking" is not used, however; residents are called Kunnians. This is where Hiccup comes from. Kunnia is wild, rugged terrain, with lots of enormous mountain ranges and various wetlands and bodies of water. A place infamous for its repeated draconian attacks due to its close proximity to their territory. Kunnia is the fourth-biggest province in Traum. Notable cities include Berk, Stolthed, Domstolen and Hiilgust. The Kunnian flag is a black hawk with two crossed swords on an orange field: fav.me/d7p5kd2

CESARET

Cesaret (SEH-sah-reht, "courage" in Turkish) is not unlike its neighboring province, Kunnia, in that the culture has developed more into Scottish-like ways. Merida's homeland is somewhat more tame than Kunnia, and considerably more lush and green. Cesaret is the biggest province in Traum. Notable cities include Kumadale, Erelis and Sydan. The Cesaret flag is a deep green bear against a silver rising sun on a deep green field: fav.me/d7lz1s0

RABANTA

Rabanta (ruh-BAHN-tuh, "fortunate" in Hausa) is comparable to Middle Eastern culture as it is situated on the western coast. Rabantans mostly deal in trade with the other people living on the Islands, farther south. Rabanta is the second-biggest province in Traum. Notable cities include Kohtalo and Bereket. The Rabantan flag is a bright yellow dolphin diving over three stars, all on a dark blue field: fav.me/d7lyzei

DAMAI

Damai (duh-MY, "peace" in Malay) is the homeland of North, and is also the place where Jack Frost awoke to find himself white-haired and memory-free. Also closely related to Kunnian and Cesaret culture, more Russian in nature than anything else. As the closest to the border marked by the river Ybaron, the Damai people have more problems with Kosmarians than anyone else. Damai is the smallest province in Traum. Notable cities include Domova, Aurataya, and Tasakaal. It is run by Baron Sheeda Wolfhammer. The Damai flag has a red reindeer silhouette against a white moon on a red field: fav.me/d7lyykc

KOSMARIA

The opposite of Traum, Kosmaria (koz-MAHR-ee-uh, "koszmar" being "nightmare" in German) actually used to be quite similar to its sister country. It was ruled by the four princes of old in the tale that Elinor tells Merida, but when Mor'du led the ancient kingdom to ruin, Pitch Black stole into the chaos and re-organized the country in his image. At first, the two countries rubbed along uncomfortably, the King and Queen reluctantly organizing treaties and trade with the shadowy ruler, but Pitch liked to experiment, and soon he produced a vile half-breed that he called Nightmares, black horses with oily coats, burning eyes and fangs. He then used his new experiment to begin cruelly enforcing his borders and upholding his law. It was this and a culmination of several other factors that caused the two countries to call it quits and split apart from one another. To this day, Pitch still rules and has adopted the Nightmare as the symbol of his power, even placing it on the flag of the capital. Kosmaria's culture tends to lean towards a more refined, Asian influence. Kosmarians are leaner and more sallow, with thinner faces, dark hair and eyes that are dominantly violet, brown and black. They have a clean accent equivalent to a modern-day Brit. There are six provinces in Kosmaria: Temat, Durere, Ira, Galia, Korku and Intikam.

TEMAT

Temat (teh-MAHT, "darkness" in Slovenian) is the capital province, hosting the entire country's capital city, Noctis ("night" in Latin). This is where Pitch takes up residence and where official business that pertains to the government is taken. Temat is the fifth-biggest province in Kosmaria. Notable cities in Temat include aforementioned Noctis, Juoda, and Tienhaven. The flag of Temat is a black Nightmare head silhouetted against the white moon on a black field: fav.me/d7lysbr

DURERE

Durere (doo-REER, "pain" in Romanian) is Kosmaria's coastal equivalent to Rabanta, with the same ocean-based trade and lifestyle. The culture is more mixed and varied due to the influx of inhabitants but it remains seagoing all the same. Ships of both Durere and Rabanta often have disagreements that sometimes boil over into physical conflicts. Durere is the biggest province in Kosmaria. The Duran flag is a black wolf head silhouetted against a red setting sun on a black field: fav.me/d7lz2ey

IRA

Ira (EAR-uh, "anger" in Portugese) has the most amount of land touching the border and therefore is the most involved in conflicts with Traum. Ira has a constant supply of soldiers from the capital to keep the border manned and secure. Irans are stereotypically aggressive and have a bad reputation for theivery, as the province is a nest of criminal rings and gangs and is the second-largest in the country. The Iran flag features a copper dragon between two upright spears, holding them in its tail and claws, all on a black field: fav.me/d7lzrqy

GALIA

Galia (GAHL-ee-uh, "power" in Lithuanian) is probably one of the friendlier provinces of Kosmaria. Like Kunnia, it also suffers from severe draconian attacks and fights to keep Northern people and other beings out of its borders constantly. Galia is the third-largest province in Kosmaria. Notable cities include Sila, Tamarden and Kallifion. The Galian flag is a yellow wildcat pawprint and crescent moon on a black field: fav.me/d7p33z2

KORKU

Korku (KOHR-koo, "fear" in Turkish) hides in the shadow of its elder brother, Ira. They keep their borders very secure; hardly anyone ever goes in and out except on official government business. Often Pitch will use Korku to experiment--for example, he created the Nightmares there. It's the Area 51 of Kosmaria, if you will. Korku is the smallest province in the country. Notable cities include Kuolema, Borba, and Volofell. The Korkan flag features a violet pair of wings and a dead tree, both on a black field: fav.me/d7p34eo

INTIKAM

Intikam (IN-tee-kam, "revenge" in Turkish), with its rough mountains and dry terrain, is the main supplier of "volunteer" troops to Noctis. Its cliffs are the favorite gathering place of shifters, a mysterious race with the ability to change back and forth from a human to an animal form. Intikam is also involved in trade, though not as heavily as Durere. Intikam is the fourth-largest province in Kosmaria. The Intikam flag features a green sword with a snake winding around it, on a black field: fav.me/d7p35wq

KYLMA

In short, Kylma=Arendelle. I just wanted the name to match the setting. However, Kylma (KEEL-mah, literally "cold" in Finnish) is considerably harder and tougher than its happy Disney counterpart. Being the closest northern country to Kosmaria and Traum, when people say "Northerners" they mean Kylmaians, even though there are other northern countries besides Kylma. Kylmaians are shorter and stouter than Eastern or Western people, and they generally have blond hair and blue eyes. King Agdar and Queen Idun have recently died in a storm at sea, leaving the country to be governed by a steward until their eldest daughter, Elsa, can take the throne. Kylma is not divided into provinces. The flag (not created by me) is bicolored dark green and dark blue with a stylized crocus in the center: fav.me/d7cjpyd

THE ISLANDS

Also known as the Southern Isles, the Islands are a place considerably less refined than any countries up north. There are several islands of various sizes, all self-governed, but they manage to work together comfortably enough to trade and sign treaties with the rest of Oreka. The largest island has some control over the others and is more well-to-do, being ruled by a monarchy with thirteen sons vying for the throne. Southerners mostly have different shades of silver hair at all ages, save for the largest ruling island which was inhabited by Northerners and doesn't mix with the other Islanders. It is common tradition to mark oneself with tribal tattoos to distinguish what island you hail from, a tradition the governing Northerners also abstain from. This is the place that Aster (read: Bunnymund) grew up. After discovering his mage powers, he left for Traum to become a Guardian.

WILDERNESS

Beyond the borders of these four areas, the land is wild and untamed, covered with thick forests and bogs. This is often the place that fugitives will run, though it usually results in their death, for the wilderness is inhabited by territorial nymphs and fearsome draconians.

DRACONIAN TERRITORY

Draconians are half-dragon, half-humans that live in small clans. They have claimed a large valley between two unnamed mountain ranges as their homeland, and nobody has dared to challenge this claim. A battle with one draconian would be certain death, let alone a battle with multiple clans. They have no interest in the language, legalities or general activity of humans and stay well away from them. When food is scarce in their land, however, they will raid the nearest provinces for resources.

LEAFMEN TERRITORY

Just outside the borders of Galia lies the thickest part of the woods, with trees hundreds of feet high and undergrowth so thick you need a sword to traverse the land. This is where a group of wood nymphs called the Leafmen have made their home. Like the draconians, they haven't bothered making any official claims to the land--they simply moved in and have been living there ever since. They also remain aloof from humans, preferring to defend their own borders and live in peace. The Leafmen answer only to their queen or king, whomever that may be at the time, and the monarch can only be chosen once every century, when the full moon and the summer solstice align on the same day. Currently their leader is Queen Tara.

Note: Unlike the movie Epic, the Leafmen are human-sized because of reasons.

BOGGAN TERRITORY

Right next to the Leafmen is a enormous, foul bog in which resides the Boggans, a group of swamp nymphs and archenemies of the Leafmen. While wood nymphs have the ability to grow and heal, the Boggan's touch is poisonous, killing plant and animal life and making sentient beings very, very sick. Without the assistance of a wood nymph, the afflicted person will die. Ordinary Leafmen can ease the disease; only Queen Tara can completely heal it.